We’re putting together a neighborhood block party right here in Belmont Heights, and we’re looking for local musicians, acoustic performers, and DJs who’d like to be part of it. This isn’t a big commercial festival—it’s something better: neighbors gathering in the street, music drifting through the afternoon air, kids dancing on sidewalks, and a shared effort to raise funds for a local preservation project that matters deeply to our community. We’re hoping to create a rotatin

For generations, the distinctive gas lamp-style lampposts along Belmont Avenue have been a cherished part of Belmont Heights' historic character. These elegant fixtures are more than streetlights—they are landmarks in the lives of our neighbors, a reminder of our community's history, and a defining feature of one of Long Beach's most beloved neighborhoods. Today, many of these historic lampposts are in need of restoration. Without action, this unique piece of Belmont Heights'

Dear Business Owner, The Belmont Heights Community Association is inviting local businesses to join us for a special community fundraiser on Saturday, August 15, as we work to preserve the historic gas lamp-style lampposts that have helped define Belmont Avenue for generations. Our Save Our Historic Lampposts Block Party will bring neighbors together for live music, food, community connection, and fundraising to support the restoration and preservation of these unique histori

District 3 is longing for pragmatic leadership that puts residents first and centers on transparency, open communication and daily quality of life.

The fact that we keep Housing homeless without providing jobs or training and we are 65M in debt is a problem...

I am running for Long Beach City Council because I love this city and I know we can do better...

My husband and I raised our family here, and I want the next generation to enjoy the same safe neighborhoods, public spaces, and sense of community that make this area feel like home...

By Amy Haeseler On a sunny, winter morning, I sat with Belmont Heights resident, Marc Davidson, at his morning routine spot, Ubuntu, to interview him on “All Things Marc.” Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Marc was raised in a home where melody was a constant. The "creative lightning bolt" struck in 1964 while he was watching the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show . Captivated by the craft, it sparked a lifelong obsession with the medium of songwriting. He began his formal educa

By Monica Tabrizi Growing up in Whittier and attending an all-girls school, Raquel Garcia had no idea where life would take her. Her mom pushed college, but Raquel quickly realized that was not her calling after pursuing nursing coursework. An accident forced her to question what she valued, which ultimately changed the course of her life. She remembered getting a facial at age 12 and thinking, ‘this woman gets paid to do this and adults can choose this as a full-time job’

By Sparkle Jones Also answers to, Marg-arine, Marg-arita, Marg-ina Navratilova or whatever round snack-adjacent food item you can think of. She’s a 1 year old, 40-pound English bulldog with a big personality and a bigger heart. Some of her favorite things include play dates with her bestie, napping (snores included!), brunch with mom and the girls, and ignoring all her store-bought toys in favor of chasing a plastic bottle around the house. If you are lucky enough, yo

Are you selling or buying items online via sites like Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor? Safety is a priority when meeting with strangers to exchange goods. Long Beach now has safe E-Commerce Exchange Zones. There are three zones and they are located in public parking areas outside of LBPD substations. These exchange areas are open 24/7 and are equipped with security cameras; however, camera feeds may not be actively monitored at all times. The visible presence and proximity t

At our annual holiday party, we were proud to recognize six outstanding neighbors whose dedication and generosity have made a meaningful impact on the Belmont Heights community. BHCA President Derrick Muska had the pleasure of introducing each honoree, sharing highlights of their contributions, and presenting them with a small token of appreciation as a heartfelt thank-you for all they do. For many years, Craig Starnes and Joel Surfas have reliably delivered our quarterly

Belmont Heights resident Nick Mulvehill, a freshman at Wilson High and dedicated Boy Scout in Troop 698, has made remarkable strides with his Eagle Scout project: the repair, restoration, and lasting protection of Belmont Ave's historic lampposts. We first spotlighted his inspiring initiative in our Fall 2025 issue . Over the past six months, Nick has delved into the details of what this project requires and made some progress moving it forward. Working with Mark Roberts

By Ellen Butler I was at a local hardware store on a recent afternoon. A customer purchased four items and picked them up to leave when the clerk offered him a plastic bag. The customer asked if it was free and the clerk said yes. I was puzzled. Weren’t these single-use plastic bags banned in California back in 2014? Charles Moore, who discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the swirling soup of plastic pollution in the Pacific, lives right here in Long Beach. He se

A Story of Two Religious Buildings in Belmont Heights By Maureen Neeley Shul-By-The-Shore has found a new home in the former St. Bartholomew’s multipurpose space built to serve the students at the adjacent parish elementary school. This building at Tremont and 4 th Street is all that is left from the St. Bartholomew Catholic Grammar School and convent. Built in 1951 to serve the growing post-war population of Catholics in southeast Long Beach, the school comprised two bu

By Monica Tabrizi Community is a common theme for many people living in Belmont Heights; in speaking with Rabbi Levi Perelmuter, that theme emerged frequently during our conversation. The Rabbi and his faith-based community, Shul by the Shore, is the most recent occupant of a historic building in Belmont Heights, the former St. Bartholomew’s multipurpose space on 4 th and Fremont. For Levi, a Long Beach native who grew up in Bixby Knolls, his Jewish community began in the mi

By Ina and Mike Levin Do you know what Land Snorkeling is? According to good ol’ Wikipedia, it is a relatively new term that means a...

By Ellen Butler Sixty-two years ago, one vocal individual attempted to stop the city library from carrying “The Last Temptation of...

By Amy Haeseler Belmont Avenue carries a unique historical charm, much of which can be attributed to its lampposts. The intricate globes, distinctive bulbs, and decorative elements transport you back to the early 20 th century. They’re a tangible connection to our community’s past, and a dedicated young resident, Nick Mulvehill, is leading an ambitious project to secure their future. These 39 metal lampposts, stretching between Livingston and Third Street, have illuminated

By Jovie Tavares, NP As a dedicated Nurse Practitioner, advocate for women's health, and longtime Long Beach resident, I’m passionate...

By Monica Tabrizi There are many things people look forward to during the holidays. In Belmont and Alamitos Heights, it’s the lighting of...

By Claire Nelson, with Maureen Neeley and Dianne Sundstrom The newsletter you’re enjoying today is one of dozens that have been created...

By Stelet Kim Electric bicycle (e-bike) popularity is surging, particularly amongst youth. They can be a great form of transportation,...

A Tribute to Community, Connection, and Coffee By Claire Nelson As our community processed the news of our beloved coffee house closing...